Easter week is celebrated with religious processions in Lima and practically every other town and city of Peru. In the Andean towns, Easter is celebrated with particular fervor and nowhere more so than in Ayacucho. This highland city portrays the passion, death and resurrection of Christ with an incredible intensity, beginning with the arrival of Jesus on a donkey. Images and effigies of the Virgin Mary and Saint John are paraded in processions through streets carpeted with flowers, to meet with the image of Christ on the main square. On Good Friday, a cavalcade begins at dusk, with the images borne in a solemn procession, on biers decorated with white roses. Participants are dressed in mourning attire and carry candles through the darkened streets. The main bier is an inspiring site with thousands of candles. A long sermon follows on the Saturday, while Sunday gives way to more festive celebrations as Christ is resurrected, and carried once more through the streets.
Event Frequency:
Annual
Event Date:
April 1, 2012 - April 8, 2012
Cost:
Free.
